Author: Lion City Sailors
Hard work, determination and tenacity – the Lion City Sailors Women displayed all these qualities as they came from behind to defeat a stubborn Tanjong Pagar United 2-1 at Yishun Stadium on Saturday (1 October) night.
The result capped off a memorable debut Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, in which they sealed the title with two games to go and finished unbeaten with 10 wins and two draws.
Describing this as “one of the best matches that we’ve played this season”, Head Coach Yeong Sheau Shyan expressed her delight at witnessing how her side battled through adversity to end the campaign on a high.
“We didn’t just want to end off with that unbeaten streak, we really wanted to win this match and that was what we were gunning for from the start,” she emphasised. “We played really well initially but didn’t score, then the wave turned and we conceded the opening goal.
“It was important that at half time we managed to get everyone to cool down. There were some emotions because tackles were hard and there was a lot of sliding around and pushing. The girls just needed a bit of a reminder that they can’t play the style we wanted to when everyone is hot-headed and rushing.
“We needed to play at our own timing, speed and rhythm – and the girls really did that in the second half. We’ve never done well at corners especially, but the deliveries today were superb.”
Up against a Tanjong Pagar side well drilled by former Singapore international Samawira Basri and gunning for a win to seal second spot, the Sailors dominated early proceedings but found themselves trailing after 34 minutes with Japanese striker Yuki Monden firing in off the post to put the Jaguars ahead.
This was the first time the Sailors conceded the first goal and trailed in a game this season – just the third goal that the women conceded in all 12 WPL matches.
The champions rallied after the break but found Tanjong Pagar goalkeeper Nurul Haziqah in fine form, until they finally found a way through in the 65th minute. Lila Tan bundled home the equaliser amidst a melee following Paula Druschke’s teasing inswinging corner.
The Sailors Women kept plugging away towards the end and got their just rewards six minutes into injury time, as centre-back Fatin Aqillah swept a clean shot into the bottom left corner after another Paula corner had caused chaos in the Tanjong Pagar box.
The goal sparked an outpouring of emotion with goalkeeper Noor Kusumawati racing the length of the pitch to join in the team’s celebrations. The final whistle soon sounded, marking the Sailors Women’s crowning as Invincibles.
Fatin revealed her mixed emotions on scoring the match-winning goal, having moved to the Sailors this season after six years with Tanjong Pagar.
“I felt bad for my ex-teammates, but I knew we needed to end the season with a bang,” reflected the 28-year-old. “Throughout the entire season, I was trying to score at least once, especially with Coach Sheau Shyan usually putting me up on set pieces.
“I guess I was at the right place at the right time on this occasion. Paula gave a really good ball and it somehow went to me. I chested the ball and it landed just in front of me, so I just took a shot and I’m so glad that it went in. It’s just amazing to end the season in this way.”
Confetti rained down on the Yishun Stadium as captain Ernie Sulastri lifted the WPL trophy in front of the adoring Sailors fans in a moment that would be remembered in years to come.
The team was also presented with a S$25,000 cheque for their efforts.
Even as the Sailors Women donned specially-made “Champions” T-shirts, they made sure to remember the efforts of their entire contingent, lifting up the no. 20 jersey in honour of forward Dorcas Chu who suffered an unfortunate anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in training two days prior.
Up-and-comer Nur Syafina Putri – who missed the entire season due to an ACL tear just before the campaign began – also joined the celebrations.
With the 2022 WPL season now wrapped up, Sheau Shyan is already looking to the next and beyond.
“We’ve already put our plans in place for next year,” she teased. “There’ll definitely be some ins and outs as our players are not contracted or full-time players.
“It’s important that the players continue to improve and strive to play at an even higher level. The challenge for them now is to go up one or two notches by playing against international teams and display the progressive football we desire to play.”
The title race is not over: Hafiz
The Lion City Sailors will be looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they go on the road to face second-from-bottom Balestier Khalsa at Toa Payoh Stadium on Sunday (2 October) evening.
It will be the Sailors’ first Singapore Premier League (SPL) outing since their 10 September 2-1 loss to Tampines Rovers, a result which came after a 3-1 reverse by Geylang International a week prior.
The defending champions might have slipped to second behind Albirex Niigata in the eight-team SPL, three points adrift with four matches left to play, but Hafiz Nor remains unfazed.
“We acknowledge that we haven’t been at our best in the last two games, but all of us are determined to put an end to this streak,” said the 34-year-old, who will return to the side after serving a one-match suspension.
“We have been working hard in training and everyone is in good spirits. As long as we bring our A-game, I’m confident we can get the three points to keep our title hopes alive.”
Interim Head Coach Luka Lalić echoed Hafiz’s sentiments.
“The short break was useful for us to have some time off to recharge and regroup after two straight losses,” he said.
“We have had the chance to look back at the Tampines game – a unique situation with the injuries and suspensions that we had to contend with. At the end of the day, we failed to make our chances count and were made to pay for mistakes at the back.
“It is however something we are working on at the moment and we hope to fix it in time.”
The return of Hafiz and club captain Hariss Harun is a welcome boost for Luka, who is treating each of their remaining SPL matches like a final.
“It’s a different team when you have your captain as well as someone with Hafiz’s experience back,” Luka added.
“We are thinking positively and our focus now is to win every game from now in order to stand a chance to retain our title.”
With fellow title challengers Albirex in action against Hougang United on the same day, Hafiz hopes the Cheetahs can do the Sailors a favour by getting a result.
“Hougang are a team gunning for a spot in the AFC Cup next season and they have nothing to lose,” he quipped.
“Hopefully they can conjure something and make the title race more exciting. At the same time, we cannot underestimate Balestier who have home advantage and we have to do our part as well.”
Eight-time German champions Borussia Dortmund (BVB) will play a friendly match against defending Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions, Lion City Sailors, at Singapore’s Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday, 24 November.
The match is the crown jewel of the first leg of BVB’s Southeast Asia Tour that kicks off in Singapore (22-26 Nov) before seeing the 1997 UEFA Champions League winners travel to Vietnam and Indonesia. The Singapore leg of the tour comes in the wake of several joint initiatives since the Sailors and BVB penned a two and a half-year partnership in July 2021.
Tickets for the match go on sale today on SISTIC, and will cost between S$25 (Adult, Gallery) and $35 (Adult, Grandstand). Early bird discounts are available from 30 September to 24 October, with Lion City Sailors members able to purchase tickets at preferential rates.
The clubs have lined up a series of off-the-field professional activities over the five days of the tour that will further underscore their deep partnership. Staff of BVB and their Sailors counterparts will engage in knowledge sharing sessions, with fan activations and even community activities in the pipeline.
“It has been a fantastic year or so working with the Sailors who have helped us get closer to Singapore’s football fraternity and its communities. And while the match will be the main highlight, we’re looking forward to working together on even more initiatives on this tour,” said BVB Managing Director, Carsten Cramer.
“I’m personally delighted to be able to bring our first team to play in Singapore, and I’m confident that football fans will be treated to attractive football and meaningful initiatives as we solidify our partnership with the Sailors.”
The partnership has already witnessed Sailors Academy teams compete against their BVB counterparts as part of a six-week Europe training tour in December 2021. The club’s technical and corporate office staff concurrently visited Dortmund for a study trip which included attending the famed Der Klassiker – the highly-anticipated clash between Dortmund and Bayern Munich.
“Visiting Dortmund last year was an eye-opening experience for both our Academy players and staff. The entire club is already abuzz, looking forward to a BVB tour that will exclude the usual bells and whistles associated with such visits, but instead be fully focused on football activities,” said Sailors Chief Executive Chew Chun-Liang.
“Our players will get first-hand experience playing against a big European club, our staff will have the opportunity for deeper engagement with their counterparts to learn and grow, and we’re hoping to involve fans – both Sailors’ and BVB’s – and our community partners in this tour as well.
“We’ve ensured that ticket prices are kept affordable for our fans so they can grab the opportunity of watching our very own Sailors go up against some of the best in Europe in what will be a milestone for the club,” he added.
The friendly match will take place three days after the FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar on 21 November, and will not feature some of Dortmund’s stars who will be on international duty with their national teams.
But that has not dampened the enthusiasm of Sailors’ skipper Hariss Harun who revealed that there is electricity in the Sailors’ dressing room.
“We’ve played against some of Asia’s best at the AFC Champions League earlier this year, and this match will be a bit of a step up – against one of the best teams in Europe with some of the best young players too,” said Hariss, who is also the captain of the Singapore national team.
“It’s going to be a fantastic test for us, and the younger boys in the team are especially geared up for the match, and we’re all looking to put on a good show for our fans.”
Suresh Letchmanan, Managing Director of BVB Asia Pacific looked back on a fruitful year in partnership with the Sailors, and is confident that Singapore will see more during the tour and in the year ahead.
“Both clubs are dynamic and progressive brands with a commitment to developing talented young players, and we have leveraged these common values to great effect this past year,” said Suresh.
“We’ll put together some creative and innovative football-focused initiatives for Singapore fans this November, and build on that momentum for 2023.”
Tickets can be purchased from SISTIC here.
The Lion City Sailors Women will be gunning to finish their Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign unbeaten when they face Tanjong Pagar United on Saturday (1 October) night.
With nine wins and two draws so far, Yeong Sheau Shyan’s charges are eager to bounce back from a goalless stalemate against Tiong Bahru last time out.
Defender Khairunnisa Khairol Anwar believes that result has only served as motivation for them to do better against a well-drilled Tanjong Pagar led by former Singapore international Samawira Basri.
The Jaguars are just one point ahead of Albirex in second and will look for a result to cement their runners-up spot whilst spoiling the party for the Sailors, who will finally lift the WPL trophy at Yishun Stadium.
“All of us were disappointed we failed to beat Tiong Bahru. We want to approach the last game strongly and hopefully finish the season with a win,” said the soft-spoken 19-year-old.
“Tanjong Pagar are a strong team and we know the threat that they can pose. We will look to fix our errors from our last game and hope this translates into an improved performance.
“More importantly, we want to go into this with the right mentality and enjoy ourselves since it’s our last league game together.”
One who does not shirk from challenges despite her relatively small frame, Khairunnisa has surprised many with her aggression and confidence in the tackle.
She also hits the gym regularly to build on her strength so as to be able to compete with stronger opponents.
“I’m aware that I’m probably one of the smaller players in the team and I will likely lose out physically,” she mused.
“That’s why I feel that it’s important to put in the extra effort to go to the gym as much as possible, working on things that cannot be done in our usual trainings as a team.
“On the pitch, it’s also about being tactically smart by being patient and waiting for the right time to go for the tackle instead of just going for every challenge.”
Reflecting on the Sailors Women’s WPL season, Nisa is simply thankful for every opportunity that she gets, even as she has had to play as a right winger against Tiong Bahru.
“Actually I’m not really one of the core members of the team, but I try to play and do my best no matter which position I’m being put in,” said Nisa, whose first brush with domestic league football came with Women’s National League side Tampines Changkat in 2019.
“I feel that my performances this season has been decent, but there is always room for improvement. I always tell myself to go in every game with an open mind and just go for it.
“Overall, the team had a good run and it wasn’t an easy journey due to various commitments but we made the best out of it. We carried out Coach’s plans and while we could have done better in certain aspects, I still had fun and I’m happy we won the title this season,” she added.
“The job isn’t done yet, we are out to do well in this last game to reward the fans who have been coming down regularly to support us.”
The Lion City Sailors will make their Singapore Cup debut in late October as their group opponents were revealed in a virtual draw ceremony held at Jalan Besar Stadium earlier this afternoon (27 September).
The 2021 Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions were drawn in Group A alongside four-time champions Albirex Niigata (S), 2014 winners Balestier Khalsa and the Young Lions.
Group B will see Tampines Rovers, Tanjong Pagar United, Hougang United and Geylang International battle for the other semi-final spots.
Group stage matches will be played from 27 October to 6 November, with fixtures being announced at a later date.
The top two sides of each group will progress into the semi-finals, played over two legs on 11 and 15 November. The grand final is scheduled for 19 November at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
This will be the Sailors’ maiden voyage in the Singapore Cup with the domestic cup competition marking its return after a two-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Tampines won the last edition played in 2019, emerging 4-3 winners over Warriors FC to win the competition for a fourth time.
Reflecting on the draw, Sailors interim head coach Luka Lalić is relishing the challenge to lead the club into unchartered waters but insists that the Singapore Cup campaign will be a task that will only come into focus later, at the end of October.
“We’re all excited as a club to be playing in our first Singapore Cup campaign. The format of the competition means it’ll be an exciting one for the local football fans.
“It won’t be easy for us as everyone knows Albirex have won four out of the last five editions and Balestier always enjoy a good cup run, so we have to take each game seriously to qualify for the semis and the ultimate aim is always to win the competition,” said the 35-year-old.
“But our focus now remains on our league campaign – we have to win our remaining four games and hopefully do enough to retain the SPL title. Once we’ve achieved that objective, then we’ll turn our focus to the Singapore Cup.”
They huffed and puffed, but just could not blow the house down.
In their penultimate match of the Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, the Lion City Sailors Women could only muster a goalless draw with a plucky Tiong Bahru United at Yishun Stadium on Saturday (24 September) evening.
It was only the second time the Sailors have failed to win this season, with the result putting them six points clear of second-placed Tanjong Pagar United, the team they face in their final WPL fixture next Saturday (1 October).
The Sailors women dominated proceedings and could have gotten off to a flying start after just eight minutes.
Slaloming past a number of Tiong Bahru challenges, Canadian teenager Madison Telmer saw her powerful shot beat the goalkeeper but not the crossbar.
The Sailors continued in the same vein for the rest of the half and came close to breaking the deadlock, but efforts from Nur Izzati Rosni and Dorcas Chu came to nought.
At the other end, skipper Ernie Sulastri had to intervene when a defensive lapse presented Tiong Bahru with a goalscoring opportunity inside the penalty area.
Chances were however, at a premium after the break as the Sailors were frustrated by resolute defending.
Izzati blazed over from close range with nine minutes left, before Dorcas failed to get a decisive touch on substitute Miray Altun’s deflected shot as the Sailors had to contend with a point.
Head coach Yeong Sheau Shyan was pleased with what she saw despite the result and gave credit to their opponents on the night.
“They made things difficult for us by pressing very aggressively. All of us were equally frustrated, including those on the bench who were even making jokes to try to calm ourselves down,” said the 44-year-old.
“But we still kept to what we wanted to do, which was good to see. We really tried to keep everything on the ground and play those passes today, compared to our last match where we played several long balls.
“The players now realise that it doesn’t help if we rush and play in a way that we didn’t train for. At the end of the day, the ball is round and we unfortunately failed to get the goal we needed.”
Looking ahead, Sheau Shyan has called for calm as they look to end their season unbeaten.
“This is the kind of frustration that we will face when we come up against sides like Tiong Bahru,” she admitted.
“We are expecting the same for the next game against Tanjong Pagar but the girls just have to be cool-headed. We will try to overcome the challenge of breaking the low block set up by some teams and find that finishing touch.”
With a swing of her left boot, midfielder Ho Hui Xin’s long-range effort beat the Still Aerion goalkeeper and bulged the net in stunning fashion.
It was her first goal for the Lion City Sailors Women and also capped off a comprehensive 4-0 victory to seal their first-ever Deloitte Women’s Premier League (WPL) title on 10 September.
“I honestly don’t remember the last time I scored… All I know it was my first goal for the Sailors,” the 30-year-old quipped.
“It was a good feeling when I struck the ball and saw it go in from the left. I was like ‘I did it!’ I remember the ball coming from Dorcas (Chu) who had done all the work, but I was glad to have scored in an important game like this.”
Next up for the Sailors, an encounter against Tiong Bahru in their penultimate WPL clash at Yishun Stadium on Saturday (25 September) evening.
A Danelle Tan brace settled a tight contest in the reverse fixture in July and Hui Xin is wary of the threat Tiong Bahru – who are fourth in the seven-team WPL standings – may pose.
“They are a relatively fit side who can give us a run for our money,” said Hui Xin, who is a full-time physical education teacher.
“They came at us in the first half when we last played and it took a while for us to break them down. Hopefully we can break them down and do better this time around.
“I know some of the longer-serving players there too, such as defenders Angie (Pang) and Deborah (Chin) during my time with Woodlands Wellington – the previous iteration of Tiong Bahru.”
Hui Xin believes the Sailors can do more and fulfil the expectations set for them from the get-go.
“We started the season with high expectations and knew that the pressure was going to be on us. On top of that, we want to play according to the style that (Head Coach) Yeong Sheau Shyan demands from the team,” said the Singapore international.
“While we have managed to do that, we have not done it very well. We have struggled against teams who sit back, as well as those who really come at us. We also need to learn how to make better use of the ball whenever we have possession.”
Despite the fact the WPL crown has been secured, Hui Xin insists there is no room for complacency.
“We might have clinched the title but there are still two games to go and we want to finish the season strongly,” she added.
“This is our first season and the feeling (of winning the title) hasn’t really sunk in yet. I think the feeling will really sink in when we lift the trophy after our final game against Tanjong Pagar United.”
Sailors’ match against Young Lions postponed
As a mark of respect following the passing of Football Association of Singapore (FAS) President Mr Lim Kia Tong, all Singapore Premier League (SPL) fixtures scheduled for this weekend have been postponed.
The Lion City Sailors match against Young Lions that was originally scheduled for Friday, 16 September, at the Jalan Besar Stadium will now be played on 22 October at the same venue.
The 15 October match against Tanjong Pagar United at the Jurong East Stadium will now take place a day earlier, on Friday, 14 Oct at the same venue, with kickoff scheduled for 7.45pm.
The Sailors are shocked and saddened by the sudden loss of a dedicated member of the Singapore football fraternity. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the late Mr Lim at this time of sorrow.
Nine Lion City Sailors players will help fly the Singapore flag as the Lions play Vietnam and India in a Tri-Nation series during the upcoming FIFA international window.
Lions’ captain Hariss Harun, along with eight others – Hassan Sunny, Amirul Adli, Adam Swandi, Hafiz Nor, M. Anumanthan, Shahdan Sulaiman, Faris Ramli and Song Ui-young – have got the nod from national team head coach Takayuki Nishigaya in what is only his second Lions selection.
Anu has been handed his first national call-up under the 49-year-old Japanese as he returns to the Lions fold for the first time since featuring in the pandemic-delayed AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 last December.
The 28-year-old defensive midfielder has made 20 appearances for the Sailors since signing for the club in the off-season, with one goal to his name.
The 23-strong squad will travel to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where they will play the 97th-ranked hosts on 21 September. The Lions will then play world no. 104 India – 55 places above them in the FIFA rankings – three days later.
The two matches serve as preparations for the year-end ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022, in which Singapore will line up in Group B against Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Laos.
The Lions leave for Ho Chi Minh City on Monday (19 September).
Sailors’ Lions representatives for September’s Tri-Nation series against Vietnam and India:
Hassan Sunny, Amirul Adli, Adam Swandi, Hafiz Nor, Hariss Harun, M. Anumanthan, Shahdan Sulaiman, Faris Ramli, Song Ui-young
There was a contender for goal of the season, robust challenges and a spirited battle till the final whistle. But all that was still not enough for the Lion City Sailors who fell 2-1 to Tampines Rovers on Saturday (10 September).
The Singapore Premier League (SPL) match at Our Tampines Hub (OTH) was the Sailors’ second loss on the trot – following the previous week’s 3-1 defeat to Geylang International – overshadowing what was a fantastic August for the Sailors.
The Sailors scored 30 goals en route to four wins last month, but last night’s loss saw interim Head Coach Luka Lalić call for his charges to take a long hard look in the mirror.
“Similar to the loss to Geylang, we made easy, silly mistakes, lost the ball and let them score twice. If we make such mistakes, and also when you miss opportunities of your own, you cannot expect to win,” he said.
The result saw Albirex Niigata (S) knock the Sailors off the top of the eight-team SPL standings after the Japanese side overcame an early scare to come from behind and beat Young Lions 2-1 on the same night.
Albirex are on 54 points – three ahead of the second-placed Sailors – with just four games left to play, including a crucial six-pointer between the two title-chasing sides at the Jalan Besar Stadium on 7 October.
“I asked the boys to take two days off for self-reflection, and we go back to work on Tuesday.”
It was an unfamiliar Sailors lineup that walked out at OTH. Captain Hariss Harun and Hafiz Nor were suspended, and with Pedro Henrique and Kim Shin-wook out injured, the Sailors were forced to improvise.
Midfielder M Anumanthan and left-back Nur Adam Abdullah were deployed as part of a three-man central defence alongside vice-captain Amirul Adli.
Tampines took the lead in the 55th minute of play, with Taufik Suparno nicking the ball off Anu in the Sailors’ box and laying it on a plate for Boris Kopitovic to prod home.
The lead lasted for just one minute, with substitute Maxime Lestienne scoring a goal that drew gasps from the OTH stands. The Belgian swung his left foot as Adam Swandi’s pass reached him at the top of the Tampines box, and as if tapped by a magic wand, the ball swerved in the Tampines sky, pinged the crossbar then kissed the post before nestling in the bottom of Syazwan Buhari’s goal.
Zehrudin Mehmedovic capped off a frenetic four minutes at OTH with a curling freekick that went in off the bar in the 58th minute, to help Tampines regain a lead they held onto despite the Sailors throwing everything at the Stags in the remainder of the match.
“The pressure has been on us for some time, and now it will switch to Albirex, and it is up to us to chase them,” said Luka, whose charges will face Young Lions, Balestier Khalsa, Albirex then Tanjong Pagar United in their final four SPL fixtures.
“The title race is not over – for me that match against Albirex will decide where the title goes.”
